Minutes: 17 February 2011

February 17, 2011  

Bonjour Cousins,

UPDATE:

We are working diligently on the Guédry-Labine & Petitpas Reunion scheduled for 8 October 2011 at the Cut Off Youth Center in Cut Off, LA. We have updated information in several areas discussed immediately below.

Lunch
We've confirmed that we will have a Cajun-style lunch prepared by two superb family chefs. The menu is not set at this time, but it will incorporate traditional Cajun foods such as jambalaya with white beans; red beans, rice and sausage; seafood gumbo or other tasty dishes. There will be soft drinks, tea and water available, a nice dessert and perhaps even some boudin. The cost, which we'll announce once the food is determined, will be very modest. Of course, there will be hamburgers and hot dogs for the kids and others that would rather American fare.

Agenda
We are still putting together the agenda. We are planning to have an opening Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, a Cajun Band will play for about 45 minutes, a couple of presentations about our Guedry-Labine and Petitpas family, several static displays about our family history for folks to browse and enjoy, a table with items for sale relating to our family, lots of time for folks to visit with new and old cousins, a Cajun-style lunch and a tour of the Fourchon, Cheniere Caminade and Grand-Isle area in the late afternoon.

Grand Réveil Acadien 2011
See below under GRAND RÉVEIL ACADIEN 2011 for the tentative schedule of activities for this 15-day Acadian festival occurring during the timeframe of our Reunion. I have also attached the tentative schedule in French and English.

Lodging - Bed & Breakfast Facilities
Several folks have asked about the availability of cabins and bed & breakfast facilities. Here are several Bed & Breakfast facilities as well as cabins within approximately 40 miles of Cut Off. I have not visited any of these facilities so please inquire about them to ensure they meet your expectations. Driving distances between Cut Off and nearby towns are: (see lodging in updated email May 12, 2011)

From this town to Cut Off, LA:
Galliano & Golden Meadow - 5 miles
Houma, LA - 30 miles
Thibodaux, LA - 40 miles
Raceland, LA - 24 miles
Lockport - 16 miles
Grand Isle, LA - 44 miles
New Orleans, LA - 70 miles

On most highways in Louisiana the speed limit is 55 miles per hour except in towns where it is 25-40 mph.

Acadiana House
http://www.acadianahouse.com/
207 East 14th Place
Cut Off LA 70345
(985) 798-5631
minya@acadianahouse.com
•Full house with 3 bedrooms & 2 1/2 baths
•Full kitchen & laundry facilities
•Fenced in yard, patio with jacuzzi

Naquin's Bed & Breakfast
http://www.naquinsbb.com/
1146 West Camellia Drive
Thibodaux LA 70301
(985) 446-6977
naquinsbb@hotmail.com http://www.geocities.com/naquinsbb or www.naquinsbb.com
•Owners: Frank & Joyce Naquin
•Second Number: 985-563-7680
•5 units French speaking host

A Chateau on the Bayou Bed & Breakfast
http://www.achateauonthebayou.com/
3158 Highway 308
Raceland LA 70394
985-537-6773
claudettelp@charter.net http://www.achateauonthebayou.com
•Laundry Facilities
•Wireless highspeed internet connection * Accommodates up to 8 people
• Owner - Claudette L. Pitre - Cell (985) 413-6773

Dansereau House Bed & Breakfast
http://dansereauhouse.com/
506 Saint Philip Street
Thibodaux LA 70301
985-227-9937 985-227-9938
http://www.dansereauhouse.com
•6 Suites
•Available for weddings & private parties.
•Located in historic downtown Thibodaux only blocks away from beautiful Bayou Lafourche.

Fort Romy
102 Romy Drive
Lockport LA 70374
(985) 532-6177

Jewel's Bed & Breakfast
1241 Hwy. 20
Thibodaux LA 70301
(985) 633-2562
•Owner: Jewel Durocher

La Famille Martin Bed & Breakfast
164 Wilson Street
Raceland LA 70394
(985) 537-5494
fmartinbb@aol.com
•Cell: 985-688-6241
•Owner: Frances Martin

M & M's Cajun Bed & Breakfast
1004 Bayou Ble Road
Houma LA 70364
(985) 868-4781

Nelson's Bed & Breakfast
128 Durocher Lane
Thibodaux LA
985-633-2560
•French Speaking Host

The Robichaux House Bed & Breakfast
322 East Second Street
Thibodaux LA 70301
985-447-4738
•Malcolm and Beth Hodnett

A Chateau on the Bayou Bed and Breakfast
3158 Highway 308 • Raceland, LA 70394
Located 15 Minutes from Houma
985-537-6773, 985-413-6773
Come enjoy Cajun hospitality in this country Victorian home located on the banks of Bayou... more... map

Allie & Herbert's Cajun Bed & Breakfast
120 Lewald Avenue • Houma, LA 70360
985-868-5543
Allie & Herbert offer four bedrooms, one kitchen, a dining area, den area and two baths. They can... more... map

Crochet House Bed & Breakfast
301 Midland Drive • Houma, LA 70360
985-879-3033
Centrally located between New Orleans and Plantation, in the heart of Cajun country, this bed and... more... map

Grand Bayou Noir (circa 1936)
1143 Bayou Black Drive • Houma, LA 70361
985-873-5849
A grand Georgian-style home on the Big Bayou Black, Grand Bayou Noir is surrounded by four acres of... more... map

Honduras House Bed & Breakfast
1023 Saadi Street • Houma, LA 70363
985-868-1520
This bed and breakfast offers two guest rooms and one suite with private entrances and baths. ... more... map

La Belle St. Pierre B&B
406 Barrow Street • Houma, LA 70360
Located in the Downtown Historic District
985-879-3392
La Belle St. Pierre offers a lovely suite with sunroom. There is a bayouside camp with charter... more... map

La Maison d'Audrey Bed & Breakfast
815 Funderburk Avenue • Houma, LA 70364
504-879-3285
A little Cajun mansion that includes two guest rooms and one suite. Guests can enjoy the indoor... more... map

Maison Dugas
222 Tudor Street • Houma, LA 70364
985-879-4189
Maison Dugas offers two rooms with private baths. A complete breakfast is served and children are... more... map

Twelve Oaks Plantation Bed & Breakfast
3650 Southdown Mandalay Road • Houma, LA 70360
985-876-5772
Bed & breakfast located on a working sugarcane farm. It sits across from the Big Bayou Black, which... more... map



Cabins
Bayou Resort, LLC
18920 Hwy. 3235
Galliano LA
985-475-5946
•3 Cabins, 40 Paved RV sites, tent sites
•Large recreation area, 3 freshwater ponds stocked with Catfish, Bass, & Perch
•Laundromat, boat stalls, fish cleaning facilities, 2 bath houses

Boudreaux's Condeauxs
208 N. Alex Plaisance Blvd.. P. O. Box 743
Golden Meadow LA 70357
(985) 475-6313
•Cell Phone: 985-637-5746
•22 rental units, Motel rooms and cabins, 1 and 2 Bedroom duplexes, 13 Kitchen units (fully equipped)
•12 RV sites (full hookup), 11 Dry Boat storage, Fishing Guide services available, Laundromat, Ice, Fish cleaning facilities

Catfish Lake Cabins & RV's
18628 Hwy 3235
Galliano LA 70354
(985) 475-8700
http://gallianoinn.com


THE REUNION

Our Guédry-Labine & Petitpas Reunion is set for Saturday, 8 October 2011 at the Cut Off Youth Center in Cut Off, LA. The website for the Cut Off Youth Center is: http://www.cutoffyouthcenter.org/

Located in the midst of the region commonly referred to as that of the wetlands or marsh Acadians, the Cut Off Youth Center is at 205 West 79th Street in Cut Off. It is directly behind Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Cemetery on Highway 1 (also called West Main Street). Bayou Lafourche flows immediately to the east of Highway 1. Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Cemetery and the Cut Off Youth Center are on land originally owned by Joseph Guidry Sr.

"After the devastating hurricane of October 1, 1893, many of the residents of Cheniere Caminada migrated to Cote Blanche. By 1899 there were about 200 inhabitants living in this area. On June 17, 1899 Joseph Guidry Sr. donated a ½ arpent plot of land to the Diocese. A chapel was built on the site shortly after that time. Another hurricane in 1909 severely damaged the chapel, which was then repaired. After an outbreak of yellow fever in 1905 the Sacred Heart Cemetery was formed. At that time it was known as the Callahan/Lang Cemetery, later called the Cote Blanche Cemetery then the Sacred Heart Cemetery. It might be noted that a small portion of the cemetery is reserved for infants that died before being baptized a fairly common practice in Catholic cemeteries. This cemetery is behind the Sacred Heart Church at 15300 West Main Street, Cut-Off, Louisiana." - From the Vienici.com website

The small Guidry Canal intermittently flows just to the south of the Cut Off Youth Center and has a rich history with the Guidry family. The towns of Cut Off and Cote Blanche are adjancent to each other and blend together. Cote Blanche meaning "White Coast" obtained its name because many of the families moving there after the hurricane of 1893 painted their homes white. As fisherman traveled up Bayou Lafourche, they were surprised by the "sea" of white homes and called the area Cote Blanche.

REGISTRATION
Attached is a Registration Form for the Reunion. We are keeping the fee the same as for our previous reunions. The fee to attend will be $20 for an individual and $40 for a family that will include two adults and all the kids under 21 that you can fit in your car. The fee covers the cost of building rental, paying our entertainers, renting sound equipment and other items needed, purchasing nametags and other supplies, etc.

If you wish to eat at the Reunion, the cost of the meal will be extra.

It really helps us in planning the Reunion to know how many folks are coming. If you are planning on attending, please complete the Registration Form and return it to me with your payment. (We will give refunds of the fee up to September 1st for folks that pay and then determine that they cannot attend.)

AGENDA
Currently we are working on the agenda for the Reunion at this time. One of our goals is to have more free time during the day for folks to mingle and get to know each other. Tentatively, we'd like to have a couple of presentations of 30-45 minutes each on our family heritage and/or history of the local area, a Cajun band play for 40-45 minutes and a tour at the end of the day to Chéniere Caminada and Grand Isle (about 40 miles distant from Cut Off). (See below for tour). In addition, we'll have displays, posters and information available for folks to browse and read.

We are attempting to arrange a short tour from Cut Off south to Grand Island, LA with stops at Fourchon, LA and Chénière Caminada, LA. On our drive we'll pass through marshes that skirt the Gulf Coast and give us a first hand look at the aftermath of the BP Oil Spill. Fourchon, LA, the southernmost port in LA, services 90% of the deepwater oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico and furnishes approximately 20% of the U.S. oil supply through the LOOP offshore offloading facilities and pipeline. Chénière Caminada was a bustling community in the 1890's of fisherman and hunters with their families. In October 1893 a devastating hurricane struck the community killing almost 900 residents (including several Guidry families) and destroying the village. Grand Isle, the only inhabited barrier island in Louisiana, was once home to Jean Lafitte's band of men and later a thriving beach resort. We would plan to leave Cut Off at about 3:30 pm on October 8 - immediately after our Reunion - and return to Cut Off at dusk.

LUNCH
We plan to have lunch onsite for everyone that would like to eat at the Youth Center. For those that prefer to go elsewhere for lunch, there are some restaurants within a few miles of the Youth Center.

We've confirmed that we will have a Cajun-style lunch prepared by two superb family chefs. The menu is not set at this time, but it will incorporate traditional Cajun foods such as jambalaya with white beans; red beans, rice and sausage; seafood gumbo or other tasty dishes. There will be soft drinks, tea and water available, a nice dessert and perhaps even some boudin. The cost, which we'll announce once the food is determined, will be very modest. Of course, there will be hamburgers and hot dogs for the kids and others that would rather American fare.

ACCOMODATIONS
There are several nice motels within 20 minutes of Cut Off. In addition, there are several Bed & Breakfast facilities within 40-50 miles of Cut Off.

Should you wish to search the internet for lodging accomodations, here are some driving distances from towns near Cut Off:

From this town to Cut Off, LA:
Galliano & Golden Meadow - 5 miles
Houma, LA - 30 miles
Thibodaux, LA - 40 miles
Raceland, LA - 24 miles
Lockport - 16 miles
Grand Isle, LA - 44 miles
New Orleans, LA - 70 miles

On most highways in Louisiana the speed limit is 55 miles per hour except in towns (where it is 25-40 mph) so you can multiple the distance by about 1.3 to get the time in minutes it will take to reach Cut Off from the various towns.

Nearby motel accomodations within 10 miles of Cut Off include:

* Holiday Inn Express

http://www.hiexpress.com/hotels/us/en/cut-off/giala/hoteldetail?destination=galiano+louisiana&numberOfRooms=1&numberOfAdults=1&numberOfChildren=0&ratePreference=6CBARCnull


* Best Western Inn

http://www.bestwesternlouisiana.com/hotels/best-western-isabelle-court/

* Days Inn

http://www.daysinn.com/DaysInn/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=14642


* Galliano Inn

http://gallianoinn.com/


* Boudreaux's Condeaux

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-12306426-boudreaux_s_condeauxs-i


An RV Park that also has Cabins within 20 minutes of Cut Off is Catfish Lake Cabins and RV Park

http://www.hikercentral.com/campgrounds/125372.html


GRAND RÉVEIL ACADIEN 2011
In addition to our Guédry-Labine and Petitpas Reunion on 8 October, during this same timeframe the Grand Réveil Acadien (Great Acadian Awakening) will occur from 7-16 October 2011 throughout south Louisiana from New Orleans in the east to Lake Charles in the west. The schedule for this is almost final. As soon as it is released, I will send it to everyone. One hightlight I will mention, however, is that there will be an unvieling of the Acadian Monument in Houma, LA on October 9th. This Monument is one of the series of Acadian Monuments being places throughout the world where Acadians landed and settled after the Expulsion. It will be similar to the Acadian Monument at the Halifax, Nova Scotia harbor. In addition, during the Grand Réveil Acadien there will be lots of Cajun music, talks about Acadians, Cajuns, wetlands and other topics, food presentations, genealogy sessions, etc. Major towns where activities will occur include New Orleans (October 7), Houma (October 9), Lake Charles (October 11) and Lafayette area (October 13-16). The Grand Réveil Acadien will conclude with the opening of the Festival Acadiens et Creole at Girard Park in Lafayette on October 15th and 16th.

The tentative French and English agendas are attached and the English agenda is copied below:

Grand Réveil Acadien 2011

October 7-16, 2011

Tentative Program

(Please visit our website www.gra2011.org for regular updates)

The "All Cajun and Acadian Star" Tour will be featured in several GRA venues (sites to be confirmed). The event will be moderated by Zachary Richard and will showcase cultural spokespersons and guest musicians from Canada and Louisiana presenting a wide spectrum of musical styles on the theme, "Les Deux Acadies."

GRA : New Orleans - October 7th & 8 th www.neworleanscvb.com

Friday, October 7 th -

Reception and Press Conference

Introduction and welcome of the GRA Participants by the Mayor of New Orleans, the Canadian Consul and the French Consul. Recognition of Public Officials and Special Guests

Invitation to each GRA region by representatives of Houma, Lake Charles and Lafayette with a program overview by each venue coordinator

Refreshments

Questions and Answers

Unveiling of the Acadian/Cajun Commemorative Plaque - Venue: To Be Determined


Saturday, October 8th - Discover and Visit the New Orleans Area

· Louisiana Swamp Tour - airboat tour of swamplands

· New Orleans City Tour - French Quarter, St. Charles Avenue

· Plantations along the Mississippi River

· Self-guided walking tour of the French Quarter

· Historical Cemetery Tour

· Voodoo Spiritual Tour

· New Orleans Cocktail Tour

· Horse and Buggy Tour of the French Quarter

· New Orleans Museum of Art and Sculpture Garden

· Self-guided New Orleans Trolley tour on the oldest operating trolley cars in the United States

· Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World - see how Mardi Gras floats are created

Special group rates are being arranged by Grayline tours and independent tour operators. Optional tours may be arranged.

™˜

GRA : Houma - October 9th & 10th www.houmatravel.com

Sunday, October 9th

· Gathering of Acadians and Reception - Venue to be announced

· Unveiling of the Acadian Deportation Cross

· "Voice of the Wetlands Festival" - Tab Benoit / Environmental Focus: Coastal Erosion, Oil Spill

Monday, October 10th - Discover Houma region / Tours

Special tours are being developed by the Convention and Visitors Bureau with various attractions and restaurants.

™˜

GRA : Lake Charles - October 11th & 12th www.visitlakecharles.org

Tuesday, October 11th

· Welcome and Greeting by Local Officials and Specialty Guests to include the Mardi Gras Revelers, the Pirates of the Contraband Days Festival and Gumbeaux Gator, the goodwill ambassador for Lakes Charles and Southwest Louisiana

· Vendor Displays at the Lake Charles Civic Center to include artists, artisans and food vendors

· Presentations by local authors and writers

· La Table Francaise Cultural Exchange with the French speaking community of Lake Charles, the Cajun French Music Association and students of the French Immersion programs, etc.

· Cajun Music Performances throughout the event

· Creole Nature Trail, Wildlife Refuge System - Displays with representatives on hand for discussions

· A Taste of Southwest Louisiana - Local restaurants will showcase their products where guests can sample different dishes of the area

Wednesday, October 12th - Discover Lake Charles region / Tours

· Hit the Boudin Trail

· Visit area parks

· GPS activated hand held video tour of the Creole Nature Trail

· Visit the Mardi Gras Museum

· Visit Local Art Galleries

· Carriage rides through downtown Lake Charles (private bookings)

™˜

GRA : Lafayette Program - October 13th - 16th www.lafayettetravel.com

Thursday, October 13th

Acadian Related Subjects Booths: Booths containing Young Adults Organization Information, Genealogy, Acadian family name products, artists: music, crafts, Cajun & Acadian products, books, family photos, etc.

9:00 am : Registration; Greet and Meet Session / Coffee and Pastry

10:00 am : Opening ceremony: Welcome, Announcements, Introductions

Acadians converse about similar topics of interest to each area: (scholars to facilitate) Tentative topics discussed:

10:30 am : Acadian Heritage & Culture - Our Future? Keynote Speaker: Zachary Richard (invited), Valerie Broussard (invited), Steven Ortego. Moderated by Barry Ancelet.

11:30 am : Cuisine - "History on the Table: Eat the Message". Demonstrations and sampling with two or three regional guest chefs from the "Two Acadians' Cuisine" / Discussion of seafood industry. Tasting. Moderated by Barry Ancelet.

1:00 pm : Environmental Issues - Seafood Industy and Oil Spill / Coastal Erosion - Both Acadian and Cajun seafood; What is the Future of Seafood in the two Acadies? Moderated by Pat Mould.

2:00 pm : French Language - The Louisiana French Language: The Battle Continues. Keynote Speaker: Amanda Lafleur; Presentation of "Bayous to the Tundra", movie documentary by Daniel Rocque. Moderated by Barry Ancelet.

3:00 pm : Genealogy - The Acadian Identity: Finding our Ancestors. Keynote Speaker: Steven White, University of Moncton, New Brunswick (invited). Moderated by Barry Ancelet.

4:00 pm : Musique des deux Acadies: lyrics, old ballads with 3 musicians / Music conversations: Similarities and differences with special blend of Acadian and Cajun Music (blend of a capella folk songs & ballads / history of our music / lyrics). End the day with "Les deux Acadies dansent ensemble" playing music and dancing together. This will be followed by a small procession of costumed Mardi Gras groups (petite animation) to promote the closing GRA procession taking place on Sunday, October 16th at Festivals Acadiens et Créoles.

YOUTH PROGRAM:

4:00 pm : Arrival of Youth groups and check-in at Camp des Cadiens

6:00 pm : Small group sessions / Animation by les AnimACTEURS : « Pourquoi parler le français en Louisiane?»

Friday, October 14th / Discover Lafayette and Acadiana vicinity

Acadian Family Organizations planning family gatherings

5:00 pm : Opening of Festivals Acadiens et Créoles concert at "Downtown Alive" GRA Reception at the Lafayette Science Museum

YOUTH PROGRAM:

9:00 am : Grand Rallye d’Automobile (lunch en route)

3:00 pm : Transport to Downtown Alive!

8:40 pm : Games led by les AnimACTEURS

Saturday, October 15th - Festivals Acadiens et Créoles, Girard Park, Lafayette, LA

Music, Dancing, Cajun Cuisine, Arts & Crafts, Acadian History, Culture, Traditions

· GRA Hospitality Tent

· Dancing Tent : Acadians/Cajuns Dance ensemble (dancing

together)

· GRA Acadians/Cajun workshops at the Center for Advanced Computer Sciences (CACS), University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL) campus

· Reception and exhibition of Grand Pré artists, including Georgette Bourgeois originals, Acadiana Arts Council, downtown Lafayette

· St. Martinville Re-enactment of the Arrival of the Acadians on the Bayou Teche, renewal and reconnection with St. Martinville’s sister cities, and attractions. (Nova Scotia, New

Brunswick, Nantes, France)

· Blessing Ceremony in Mother church of the Acadians, St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church in historic downtown, St. Martinville

YOUTH PROGRAM:

9:00 am : Table ronde - Discussion of solutions to the state of French in Louisiana

7:00 pm : Fête des Cadiens (musique des jeunes, non-traditionnelle (Isle Dernière / Xeno), hosted by Anika Lirette / Derek Landry

Sunday, October 16th - Festival Acadiens et Creole- Girard Park

GRA Closing Ceremony and Mass

10:00 am : Outdoor French Catholic Mass

11:00 am : Grand Parade Procession - parade around the park, including youth program participants: A demonstration of cultural and community affirmation, encouraging all ages to participate in Courir du Mardi Gras, Tintamarre (Scott Jumelage Committee), Mi-Carême, Guillonnée and Chandeleurs

Abbeville Omelette, featuring Louisiana Crawfish will be prepared at the Culture Sur la Table tent during Festivals Acadians et Créoles

YOUTH PROGAM:

7:00 pm : Pièce de thêatre avec France, Canada et Etats-Unis

2011 Membership Dues Reminder

I encourage each of you to renew your Membership in Les Guédry d'Asteur or, if you are not a member, to become one. Our dues for 2011 remain very low at $10 for a family and $6 for an individual. I really appreciate the many folks who have sent their 2011 dues already and those who have renewed at one of our Benefactor Levels (dit Jovial, dit Labine and dit Grivois). Your support is much appreciated and needed.

THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT HAS PAID THEIR 2011 DUES. WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

A Membership Application is available on the Guedry-Labine Family website at:

Membership

Here you have the option of paying using PayPal or you can print the application and send it with your payment through the U.S. mail system. I have also included an application at the end of this memo.

No organization can operate without funds and Les Guédry d'Asteur is no exception. The several projects that we do to promote our Guédry-Labine and Petitpas family cost money. These include hosting mini-Reunions and large Reunions as the Bathurst Reunion, donating family history books to key libraries, publishing our newsletter, hosting our two websites, providing family momentos and publishing a family cookbook. We need your help to continue these activities. At this time our treasury is very low - as a major activity such as the recent Guédry-Labine & Petitpas Reunion requires large expenditures. Consider renewing or joining at the dit Jovial, dit Labine or dit Grivois levels or make a donation above the basic membership level. Your help will be appreciated and well used.


We hope everyone has a great year and that we see you at our Guédry-Labine and Petitpas Reunion on 8 October.

Marty


Martin Guidry
6139 North Shore Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70817
225-571-9726
guidryrmartin@gmail.com
Les Guédry et Petitpas d'Asteur, Inc.
https://guedryfamily.guedry.org/
https://guedry.guedry.org/
https://clotiaux.guedry.org/
https://butaud.guedry.org/

[The Guédry-Labine & Petitpas Reunion will be at the Cut Off Youth Center behind Sacred Heart Catholic Church (15300 LA Highway 1 (West Main Street))

in Cut Off, LA. The Cut Off Youth Center address is 205 West 79th Street. The Reunion will be on 8 October 2011.]